The majority of members of Longford council are determined to oppose a proposal to increase rates on local businesses by 10%.
That's according to local Fianna Fail Seamus Butler who says now is not the time for the local council to put extra burden on the ratepayers.
The council executive have been suggesting the 10% increase to meet what they've described as an "unprecedented" budget next year owing to inflationary pressures.
The executive says increasing the rates wouldn't affect ratepayers too much given that they could apply for the business support scheme.
Councillor Butler says not every business will be eligible to apply for supports, and there is no way their burden should be increased at such an uncertain time.
''We don't know what's coming down the line. What we do know is that there's hundreds in the county alone, or businesses that have warehouse debts with the revenue, which may well be called in in full in 2023. We know there is a lot less of available money for spend for this Christmas and the horrible months of in retail and hospitality, for example, in January, February, up to St. Patrick's Day, are looking very bleak. And for the local authority to turn around and say that they want a 10% increase on the rates is not on.''
